Hi, Friends! The Iceland Highlands feel like another world, with huge lava fields, black sand stretches, colorful mountains, glacial rivers, and steaming geothermal spots all gathered in the island’s remote interior.

This vast region sits mostly above 400 meters, and for a big part of the year it stays closed off by snow and rough conditions. When it opens, it rewards travelers with some of the most dramatic landscapes in Iceland, but it also asks for planning, patience, and respect for nature.

If you are dreaming of a journey that feels raw, open, and deeply memorable, the Highlands may be exactly the place calling your name.

Where the Highlands are

The Highlands cover much of Iceland’s interior and are known for being largely uninhabited. This is not a place of busy towns and easy roadside stops. It is a region shaped by volcanic activity, ice, wind, and water, so the scenery changes constantly from one route to the next. You may pass rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, wide volcanic deserts near Sprengisandur, and striking valleys and geothermal areas in places like Kerlingarfjoll. What makes the area so special is that it feels untouched and immense, giving travelers a rare sense of quiet and distance.

How to get there

The Highlands are reached mainly by mountain roads known as F-roads. These roads are rough, often unbridged, and usually open only in summer depending on weather and road conditions. A 4x4 vehicle is generally required, and in many areas it is essential rather than optional.

Travelers coming from Reykjavik often drive to access points such as Landmannalaugar, Thorsmork, or Kjolur, with journey times varying by route and conditions. Highland buses also operate on seasonal schedules and can be a helpful choice for people who do not want to drive difficult roads themselves. Before setting out, it is important to check road conditions and weather updates carefully.

Highland highlights & logistics

Landmannalaugar’s rainbow rhyolite, Thorsmork’s glacier-guarded valley, Kjolur via Hveravellir, Sprengisandur, Kerlingarfjoll, and Askja headline the Highlands, but fuel, food, and lodging options are sparse, so stock up before the interior. Expect huts around USD 50–90 per person, nearby guesthouses roughly USD 120–220 per room, campsites about USD 15–25 per person, and occasional fees for huts, bathing spots, or services depending on season.

Safety, respect, and pace

Rivers, sudden weather shifts, and weak signal make this no casual road trip—stay on marked routes, share your plans, pack cold-weather gear, and move with patience. The Highlands stay with travelers who approach gently, let the land set the tempo, and leave with stories that still feel alive long after the road ends.